Punching Holes in Load Bearing Walls-1880's Stone Construction 1

[Jim508]

Hello,

I have a job coming up where the architect wants to create openings in load bearing walls. The building is a 4 story, 1880's German Victorian with stone construction. This is all I know at this point.

Does anyone know how to analyze and design openings in stone load bearing walls? Where can I find old engineering books on this?

Best Regards,

Jim

 

[kylesito]

Not really sure about codes related to this. However, there are probably a few principles that will apply...For instance, if the stone is laid akin to "running bond" then you can probably count on some degree of arching action to take place above the openings. This might help you determine if the size of the openings will require lintels or not given the unbroken height above the openings. However, with anything that old, I would error on the side of caution.

Beyond this, I suppose it would be asking too much to put an independent frame the full height of the building to support the wall every place you are removing it? Not many architects I know would appreciate that but it's always worth considering something independent if the circumstances allow it.

PE, SE
Eastern United States

"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi

 

[WARose]

Funny this comes up since we were talking about arching action over the last few days. (And more than likely that’s what you are going to need to put any openings in walls that old.)

ACI 530 has requirements for stone masonry. But for masonry that old, more than likely the mortar is deteriorated to the point where it is useless. Therefore, anything you do in the wall (including the arching action): make sure it’s with compression only.

 

[Archie264]

What size openings? Something the size of a typical door or window or simply an 8" x 8" penetration for a duct?

 

[Jim508]

I didn't get specifics but I would imagine openings that can pass small ducts and some as large as doors. The architect did mentions an 8ft opening in one of the walls, but I don't think I have enough guts to allow something like that to happen.

 

[msquared48]

For an 8 foot opening on a stone 4 story building, Il can see the Architecture going to pot in having to install a steel frame to line the interior of the opening.

Oh well, it's just architecture. Do it.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[dhengr]

Jim508:
You have to know a good deal more about the existing structure, the make-up of the stone walls, and their condition, loads on the walls, any new loads, etc. If you can’t draw a 4 story section through the walls in question, we are just talking loose. Then look for the best old stone mason in the area for his advice and services. Obviously, you have to support the wall above any new openings during construction of the new opening, and the existing wall may dictate that method to the mason. I would make my lintel and two jambs a light steel frame with base plates on the jambs. I would make small openings a four sided steel frame. Sometimes these frames are made in two halves, interior and exterior, so half the wall thickness can remain supported while the other half frame is being installed. Then the mason infills and re-points around/between these steel frames and the remaining stone masonry. Undoubtedly, you will get some loose stones just tending to fall down, out of the wall under your temporary support system, the mason has seen this before and generally knows what to do.

 

[BAretired]

Find out if the building is designated as a historic building. That could determine how much flexibility you have in providing modern materials.

BA